August 22, 2006
Hanson Pipe & Precast introduces AeroDwell™ building system, the revolutionary building
alternative instrumental in helping rebuild the housing infrastructure destroyed by Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, during the Gulf Coast Reconstruction & Hurricane Preparedness
Summit. The national conference and exhibition will be held in New Orleans on August 28,
2006, at the Pontchartrain Center. Hanson will be in booth 401.
“We are honored to be a part of the Gulf Coast Reconstruction & Hurricane Preparedness
Summit and we look forward to helping citizens affected by this tragedy rebuild their
neighborhoods and communities,” said Chris Davis, Hanson’s Director of Sales.
Millions of Americans are still affected one year after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
caused destruction and devastation along the Gulf Coast. In response, Hanson created
AeroDwell™ concrete wall panels that are sustainable in any environment and versatile
enough for commercial structures as well as homes.
Made from cellular concrete with micro-air bubbles, Neopor®, sand and cement, the
AeroDwell™ building system is ideal for Gulf Coast reconstruction efforts. The concrete
panels are incredibly strong and water, mold, termite/pest, fire and hurricane/wind resistant.
Additionally, AeroDwell™ wall panels weigh less than dense concrete and are comparable
in cost to conventional home building methods. This system offers superb insulation
and energy efficiencies with easy installation.
AeroDwell™ wall panels eliminate the need for framing, insulation, exterior sheathing and
sheetrocking, and reduces construction delays and costs - the entire construction process
for a dried-in structure can be completed in just three days. During production, openings
for doors, windows, electrical conduits, telephone and television wires are cast into
the panels and exterior finishes can be customized by overlaying brick, stucco, siding or
stone.
Summit participants will have an opportunity to see the innovative building technology
first-hand during a site visit to the New Orleans plant where Hanson’s South Central Region
president, Clifford Hahne, will lead a ceremonial walk-through of a demo house. Attendees
are invited to visit the site Monday, August 28 during the times listed below. Hanson
will provide transportation from the Pontchartrain Center to the plant.
• Media event – 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Site visit one – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Site visit two – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• Site visit three – 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The demo house features colors chosen from the Sherman Williams “Veaux Carre” Collection
as well as four facades to show the product’s versatility and different architectural
designs. In keeping with New Orleans architecture, builders chose stucco and smooth
shiplap fronts. Builders also used brick and textured shiplap on the home and designed it
with the historical Mississippi Gulf Coast “old plantation” in mind.
“With the AeroDwell™ building system, we hope to provide citizens with an architecturally
beautiful home that is weather-resistant, strong and sound and will withstand Mother
Nature’s harshest elements,” said Clifford Hahne, Hanson’s South Central Region President.
The Gulf Coast Reconstruction & Hurricane Preparedness Summit, the largest reconstruction
effort in recent U.S. history, will feature key federal officials discussing the $100
billion reconstruction program, new federal programs and funding to prepare against
future catastrophes and state and local officials providing details on reconstruction and
preparedness contracts. Hanson’s personnel will moderate a panel discussion on Hurricane
Preparedness Construction. Please visit www.katrinareconstruction.org for additional information on the Summit, presentations, sponsors and reconstruction efforts.
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc along the Gulf Coast, Hanson responded
immediately by establishing the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund within days of the destruction
to raise money for the 150 employees affected by the storm. Contributions began
pouring in and as the fund reached $45,000, Hanson’s CEO announced the company
would provide a dollar for dollar matching contribution, which resulted in $90,000 raised
for Hanson employees. In addition to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, Hanson donated
$100,000 to the American Red Cross and created the AeroDwell™ building system to help
rebuild homes and commercial buildings for the areas hardest hit.
About Hanson Worldwide
Hanson is one of the world’s largest suppliers of heavy building materials to the
construction industry. We produce a range of building products, including precast
concrete pipes, concrete pavers, tiles and clay bricks.
We are part of the HeidelbergCement Group, which employs 70,000 people across five
continents. HeidelbergCement is the global leader in aggregates and has leading
positions in cement, concrete and heavy building products. |
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